In My Mailbox #5

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we're recieved for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

Bought:

1. Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien

2. Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

3. Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Leave links to your IMMs, and I'll definitely comment on them! :)

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass
by Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Num Pages: 404
Links: Goodreads/Purchase

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught. Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament--fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin's heart be melted? 

OH. MY. GOD. My life has been changed upon reading this book!!
I love the idea that Sarah J. Maas can weave together a story that involves a lot of fighting and a kick-ass heroine, but make it nothing like the Hunger Games or any book surrounding that premise! It was just amazing. Celaena is one of the best characters I've read about in a long time. She was so hilarious; she never failed to make me smile. As you probably know, I love girl heroines that represent us girls in the right way: We're strong, able, and totally awesome-- and Celaena represented ALL of those qualities. She was brave, daring, and bad-ass. Oooh! And she was blond. It seems like every cool heroine I've read about is brunette (with the exception of Tris). Yay Celaena for representing blonde girls! Gaaahhh! I JUST LOVED IT.
Coming into this book, I was a little nervous it would be too much like The Hunger Games. The whole fighting competition thing sounded similar. I don't like books to be copies of other books. To my surprise, it was absolutely nothing like it! While the premise is similar in a way, the authors carried the subject out in completely different ways.
I expected this book to have a love triangle--which it did, but it was a little different- OK, a lot different-- than any love triangle I've read about. Dorian and Chaol are the supposed love interests, but she only really expresses love for Dorian until the end of the book, and even then, she's not really seeming to be in love with Chaol. I, for one, liked Chaol better! I love the "I-am-pretending-to-hate-you-but-I-secretly-love-you" tactic, even though it might annoy some people. I feel like sarcasm and teasing are cute ways of showing someone that you like them. Although, Celaena didn't really take the hint. Poor guy! I hope there's more between Celaena and Chaol in the next book, because they're adorable. (If they were to get together...)
I seriously could not put down this book. It's not a short book and I finished it just a couple of hours ago, I started it on Monday. And hey! I've been in school this whole week. I'm a busy girl ;) Yet I managed to finish this!
The one complaint I do have about this book is that it was very predictable, almost so predictable it was UNPREDICTABLE! If that makes any sort of sense, which it probably does not. :P I totally expected what was going to happen. But I'm only subtracting half a star for that, and my rating still remains rounded up to 5 stars.
So, PLEASE. Read this book!!! It is absolutely amazing. I know this is a crappy review, but I can only talk so much about how i love a book, you know?? ;P

4.5/5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday #6

Wednesday time! <3

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're greatly anticipating. 

The Program (The Program, #1)

by Suzanne Young

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Num Pages: 416

Links: Goodreads

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Link me up!! :)

Top Ten Tuesday #5

It's been much too long since I've done a Top Ten Tuesday, isn't it? I haven't had much time for memes lately, but when saw the topic of this week's TTT, I just had to do it! 

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. For more information, click here. 

This Week's Topic: Top Ten Settings I'd Like To See More Of (Or At All)

1. Europe

Why: I love Europe ♥, and I think it's the most beautiful place in the entire world. Therefore, I'd like to see more books with a European setting, whether they are in England, France, Spain, Italy... you name it.

2. Castles

Why: I love stories about royal families, or princesses, or queens, and handsome princes looking for true love. Call me a hopeless romantic, but I just love that type of story. I'd definitely like to see more princess stories. Which are usually set in castles. So, castles. :P

3. The beach

Why: Who doesn't love the beach?

4. Autumn

Why: Autumn is my favorite season. The leaves are beautiful, the air is cool and fresh, it's my birthday season (!), and the excitement of a new year lies ahead. There are a lot of books in the summer, a lot of books in the winter, but there aren't nearly enough in the autumn.

5. England

Why: I know there are already tons of books set in England, but England is the best place ever, so why not write more? As a plus, there should be guys with British accents in the book *faints*

6. Delaware

Why: My home state. OK, yeah, there's really nothing interesting about Delaware. But it IS the state I come from, and live in, and even though it's the most boring place on earth, I have never read a book set in Delaware. To be honest, I would like to read one. Even if it were the most boring book on earth, it would be quite fitting, seeing as Delaware is the most boring place on earth. ;)

7. the Victorian era

Why: I have read a lot of books set in the Victorian era, but I would honestly just love to read more because every book I read featuring this era, I just LOVE! Gemma Doyle, The Friday Society, The Luxe ... Oh, they're all so good!

8. the Middle East

Why: I know that there is a lot of turmoil going on over there, but I can say that this place is not as gruesome as it as made out to be. Sure, there are a lot of awful things going on over there, but people assume that everyone Middle Eastern is bad, or that everything over in the Middle East is a wreck. I for one can tell you that this isn't true. I have been over there, and it is very soothing, the Muslim culture beautiful.  I would like to read more books about Middle Eastern culture, not just about war.

9. France

Why: I love France. I love French--it's beautiful sound coming off of peoples' tongues, its beauty, its stylishness.

10. the Eighteenth Century

Why: After studying this century closely in history class, I'm really interested in it and the making of our country. I'd like to read more books focused on this time period.

Send me links to your TTT, and I'll definitely comment on them!! :)

In My Mailbox #4

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we're recieved for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

Purchased:

1. The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress (Goodreads/Purchase/My Review)

2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads/Purchase)

Leave links to your IMMs, and I'll definitely comment on them!! :)

Review: The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

The Friday Society

by Adrienne Kress

Release Date: December 6, 2012

Num Pages: 440

Links: Goodreads/Purchase

The action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns--and the girls who use them all. Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fighting assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.  Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike--well relatively ladylike--heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

*This review contains spoilers, but I have marked them off with brackets like [[this]]*

Where to start.. 

        I almost wish I hadn't finished this. It was that good. I feel like I read it too fast now, I should've savored it! 

      The Friday Society is absolutely, posi-tute-ly incredible. It has virtually everything I ask for in a book-- Bad-ass Victorian era girls. Detectives. Murder. Cute guys. Feminist lines. Amazing storyline. It was just so perfect. I'm not really sure how to go about writing this review, so this will probably be a super pathetic review (In other words, short.).

    I think what I loved most about this book is its action. I had been reading a lot of not-so-much-action books lately, and its action was really fresh and awesome to me. I hadn't read a murder mystery book in a long time, and I love that genre, so I was basically reunited with my obsessive love of murder mysteries! ;P 

    My favorite member of the Friday Society was no doubt Nellie, also known as Lady Sparkle.  Nellie is a bit of a lunatic and slightly out of her mind, but that's what I loved most about her. I also loved Cora in all her feminist awesomeness, and Michiko, because she was totally kick-butt, what with her combat skills.

   The boys in this book were also great. I LOVED Officer Murphy, or Jeff, he was so adorable! And I loved Nellie for calling him cute the first time she ever met him.  Andrew was ok, but I didn't like him as much as Jeff. [[[And I was so sad that Michiko's little assistant (name is not coming to mind right now) bit the dust.  I literally almost cried!!]]]      

    Anyway,  it was just too good to be true.  I've been looking for a book like this for YEARS. And I have finally found it! *kisses cover of book* I am still in utter shock. PLEASE read this book--you will not regret it.

5/5 stars

P.S. : I am so sorry for the really short review!! I just couldn't find much to say about this book, other than the fact that was AMAZING, kick-butt, and totally awesome! :P

Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen

by Lauren Kate

Release Date: December 8, 2009

Num Pages: 452

Links: Goodreads/Purchase

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on the first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He's the one bright spot in the place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are screw-ups, and cameras watch every move. Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--he goes out of his way to make that clear. But she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

*synopsis copied and pasted from Goodreads.



I was kind of nervous about reading this book, since I'd heard some mixed reviews on it, and the synopsis sounded ok, not that interesting. But my library had it in stock, and the cover is really pretty, so I decided to give it a go.

    It's kind of hard to write a review on this book.  For one thing, the characters are kind of bland, as is the writing.  I didn't feel like I knew the characters at all, yet I hated Luce. She was, in a word, pathetic. I just didn't get her obsession with Daniel. Stalking is only ok to a certain point, and there's a point where it just gets weird/creepy. Luce crossed the line for me and I just couldn't take her personality for some reason. The writing doesn't connect you or engage with you in any way, it's like Lauren Kate doesn't really care about her readers that much.

   Another thing I didn't love about this book was its plot, or lack thereof.  The story didn't get going until the end of the book, which really disappointed me.  I was expecting way more action, but things were kind of slow until the end. I had an idea this book would be about angels, but nothing about angels was mentioned until the last 50 pages!!! Wait... did I miss something?!?!

   And there's the love triangle. Sometimes I don't mind love triangles; in fact they are ok, I am not a love triangle hater. But this one was just, ugh.  I didn't like either of the guys in the love triangle, which is rare for me.  In the end the love triangle kind of collapsed, so I don't even know if there is going to be a love triangle in the next book (which I probably won't read...).  Both of the guys were such douche-bags to Luce even though she semi-deserved it.  I think I like Daniel a touch better but I really don't like either Daniel OR Cam.

   I gave this book 2 stars, so I think I'm going to have to explain why it wasn't 1 star.  I think Lauren Kate did a good job putting her readers in an interesting scenario so that they would keep reading,otherwise I would have put this book down long before the end of it.  I wanted to find out what the deal was with this weird boarding school and what Luce's problem was. So I think the whole premise seemed kind of interesting. The way the author delivered it, though, not so much.  I was really torn between giving this book 2 or 3 stars, because really it wasn't that bad. I just think it could've had some things in it that would have made it a MUCH better book.  Sorry to say that this wasn't the best book I've read this month but hopefully I will have some better reads next.

. 

2/5 stars

Inside & Out Book Tag!

I did The Ultimate Book Tag a few days ago, and when I saw this tag, also on Stephanie's blog, I wanted to do this one, too! So here it is: another book tag!


1. Inside flap/Back of the book summaries: Too much info? Or not enough (Discuss)
Umm... well, I like the summary to give me a good idea of the book, but I absolutely HATE it when book summaries include spoilers; it's so annoying! I also don't like it when the book summary is just a snippet of the book; that doesn't give me a good idea of the book at ALL. 

2.  New book: What form do you want it in? Be honest: Audiobook, E-Book, Paperback, or Hardcover?
Paperback! They are much easier to hold, a lot more portable, and of course, cheaper! ;P The only problem with paperbacks is that you have to wait MONTHS until they come out. So it's definitely annoying having to wait for books to come out in paperback, just so you can get them at a cheaper price.  I just can't read from e-books; I don't know why, it's just not my thing. 

3. Scribble while you read? Do you like to write in your books, taking notes, making comments, or do you keep your books clean clean clean? (Tell us why)
Definitely.  Sometimes I'll write random thoughts I have in the back of the book (but never on the pages *gasp*) since I review the books I read afterward. I'm definitely a scribbler.  I like to keep my books clean and in good shape, but I recently discovered that if I don't jot down notes when I'm reading, I will forget parts of the book! I rarely write in the actual book, sometimes on random slips of paper. 

4. In your best voice, read for us your favorite 1st sentence from a book.

Um um um... I have to think a little here. I absolutely love the beginning of The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. I don't own a copy of the book, but it's something along the lines of, "Blue Sargent had forgotten how many times she had been told she would kill her true love." I don't think that's the actual quote, but ... yeah. I just love that line. 

5. Does it matter to you whether the author is male or female when you're deciding on a book? What if you're unsure of the author's gender?
I think I just generally read more books by females, but I have read and enjoyed some books by males too. For example I love John Green, he's one of my favorite authors ever. But other than him, I honestly haven't read that many works of males, which I guess I should do, to gain more perspective. 

6.  Ever read ahead? or have you ever read the last page way before you got there? (Do confess thy sins, foul demon!) :)
I have to say, when I was reading The Diviners by Libba Bray, I had this itching feeling that I really wanted to find out what happened. I skipped to the last page and discovered what happened at the end!! I was kind of surprised at myself, I don't usually do things like that. At least it was a good ending ;)

7.  Organized bookshelves, or Outrageous bookshelves?
I'll be honest and say that I had messy bookshelves up until a few months ago. Now my bookshelf is organized alphabetically according to the author's last name.  The books that I have yet to read are on top of the books I've read horizontally (I don't know if I explained that very well ;P). 
8.  Under oath: have you ever bought a book based on the cover (alone)?
Yes!  I actually have several times. I totally judge books by their covers and it's gone against me a few times, too.  I ended up buying The Selection by Kiera Cass even though I'd heard some not-so-rave reviews. I ended up loving the book, but I totally picked it up just because of it's gorgeous cover. 

9. Take it outside to read, or stay in?
Inside, definitely! Sometimes in the summer I'll try to read in the tree in my backyard, but it never really works because the sun is in my eyes and I can't read with sunglasses on. So I'm definitely more of an indoors gal. ;)

That was almost as much fun as the first tag!! Again, I tag all of you, so do this tag and share it with your followers!! :) 

*squeal* I have 100 followers!

Everyone! Everyone! *jumps up and down like a toddler getting a baby doll for her birthday*

...I have 100 followers!

It's taken me long enough, hasn't it? ^^

When I first saw the screen blinking at me that I had 100 followers, this was my precise reaction:

And then I was more like....

And then I started screaming!! Oh my gosh, I'm so happeeeeee!!!!

I know this sounds so cheesy but thank you all for what you have done for me! Your comments, support, feedback, and neverending love have done more than I can tell you. I love you all so much, you know that?  Creating this blog has been a lovely roller-coaster ride  that I've enjoyed every minute of. When I was new to blogging I had NO IDEA what the heck was going on. But slowly I have adjusted to the blogging world and am no longer a novice blogger. 

I'm a professional, yo.

Haha, not really! :p In my dreams... :)

I love you all more than you know! Thank you for all that you have done for me :) 

P.S.: On this very special occasion (hehe), I am looking for suggestions on how to improve my blog! What do you like? Dislike? Think I do really well? What you think needs improvement? No lies, no regrets; I am open to anything and won't get offended if you think something should be changed! 

xoxo,

Annabel

Waiting on Wednesday #5

Hi, everyone! Time for another Waiting on Wednesday!! :) ♥

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight upcoming releases that we're greatly anticipating.

Everbound
by Brodi Ashton
Release Date: January 22, 2013
Series: Everneath, #2
Num Pages: 384

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity--a debt that should've been hers. She's living a borrowed life, and she doesn't know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.
    Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen--and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: be taking her to the Everneath himself.
    Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they'd anticipated--and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack--even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.
   In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we'll go to for the ones we love.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Link me up!! :)

US vs UK #7

US vs UK is a weekly meme hosted by Book Passion for Life. In this meme, I will post a US cover and a UK cover of the same book, and you guys will vote on which one you like best. I'll keep track of the score, and it will be a running competition! 

This Week's Pick: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Left: UK cover, Right: US cover

My Pick: I like both of these covers, but I honestly think I like the U.S. one better. The colors are cooler and it's all around way more creative. The UK cover is more just kind of boring. I feel like there are a lot of covers like the UK one but the US one is really rare and unique-looking. 

What do you guys think? :) 

Ultimate Book Tag!! ♥

Hi, everyone! :) ♥

I've never done a book tag before, but when I saw Sincerely, Steph's and Emily's, I knew I just had to do one because they look so fun! I tag all of you! ♥

Questions:
1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?
No, thank God. I don't know WHAT I'd do if I couldn't read in the car, since my family goes on so many car trips! Books are the only company I have on car rides XD Sometimes I might get a little sick to my stomache when we're going down bumpy roads or whatever, but not usually! *knocks on wood*

2. Which author's writing style is completely unique to you and why? 
I just LOVE the way Maggie Stiefvater writes. In every book I've read by her, her writing has pulled me in and definetely hasn't failed me yet. I also love the way that Libba Bray writes. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't use the same word twice in 100 pages, which is an AWESOME quality. I want to be just like those 2 writers if I ever write a book!

3. Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.
Harry Potter no doubt. Reason #1: It's Harry Potter! Who doesn't love it?? ;) Reason #2: I'm not a huge fan of Twilight and think that sparkly vampires are the most ridiculous thing ever created. x) Reason #3: Harry Potter is such a page-turner! I was never bored when I was reading the books. And Harry Potter is amazing to all age groups! I loved every book. 

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books...)?
Yes! I do. Mostly I carry my school stuff (notebooks, textbooks, calculator, pencils, etc.) in it. And I actually don't take books to school very often because my book bag is really messy and kind of swallows them up. Sometimes I never see my books again if I put them in my book bag D:

5. Do you smell your books?
Of course!!! Who doesn't? :p That new book smell is a smell like none other. In fact, one of the reasons I love Barnes & Noble so much is the way it smells! Like brand new pages. :P

6. Books with or without little illustrations?
Without!  Illustrations distract me from the actual story and I find I will not be reading but paying attention to the illustration. I'm really not a focused person in general so if there's one thing that will pull my attention away from the book, it's illustrations. 

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn't quality writing? (Ex. I read Twilight before I read HP and thought the writing was amazing but read HP and now think Twilight is a little bit of a joke.)
Well, I love The Selection by Kiera Cass but honestly it wasn't the best writing ever. I still love the book, though, because sometimes I feel like a good story tunes out bad writing. If an author is able to keep you interested in the story, they're doing at least something right! 

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!
Hmm. I actually don't think I do. :p Or I have so many that i can't remember any of them. Haha! :) 

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?
I think Dash & Lily's Book of Dares which is about 260 pages long. Amazing book, though!! 

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?
I think maybe either Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix or The Diviners by Libba Bray. They're both really, really big!

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?
I love writing! Unfortunately I have a hard time thinking of good book ideas. When I do think of them, my story ends up being a blatant copy of my favorite book x) So writing doesn't really ever work out for me, although it's one of my most favorite things to do in the entire world. I hope when I'm older I'll be able to get better, because being a writer has always been my biggest dream, since I was really little. 

12. When did you get into reading?
My parents love to read--In fact, they're literature freaks/English teachers! I guess I was just introduced to books at a really young age, and I haven't really ever stopped reading. It's always been something I've loved to do.  I can't remember when I REALLY got into reading, but sometime in the past year I've been reading way more books than usual. 

13. What is your favorite classic book?
There are so many. :) I really loved Emma by Jane Austen. It's one of those books that is just amazing. I also loved Pride & Prejudice, but I don't think I loved it nearly as much as I loved Emma. 

14. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?
Sort of. I like it, and I'm good at it, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite. I actually really like Science at school. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE English, but some parts of it annoy me. I'd rather choose my books than read a book assigned to me. 

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated...what would you do?
Well, I'd probably re-gift it (shhh). Or exchange it. 

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?
Uuummm... *thinks hard*. I have no idea why but no books are coming into my head right now. At least not any lesser known books. I think that Divergent is similar to The Hunger Games but I think pretty much everyone knows about Divergent...or do they? O.o 

17. What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while blogging?
I always forget to post my memes! x( That, and I sometimes type too fast when I'm writing my posts and there end up being a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes. 

18. What is your favorite word?
Sexy. It's definitely REALLY overused these days...

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?
Proud nerd x)

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?
Fairies. I've actually only read a few books with fairies in them. Vampires just freak me out and I think the whole concept of them is stupid. 

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?
I don't think I've read any books with Shapeshifters in them but I LOVE angels like Patch from Hush Hush. :p Angels are really sexy!!

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?
Werewolves.  Werewolves are pretty cool because I love wolves, and wolves look like huskies which are one of my favorite types of dogs! Wait, how'd I get to talking about huskies?? Wtf? Anyway, yeah, werewolves. I don't think I've read a book with a spirit in it. 

23. Zombies or Vampires?
Ugh ugh ugh!!! Am I allowed to say neither? As I said before I HATE vampires and zombies just freak me out so i've never read any books with them! ;)

24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love
Depends on how its written. Sometimes love triangles are fun/addicting other times they're just annoying. Forbidden love is cool, though. So probably that. 

25. AND FINALLY: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?
Action-packed with a few love scenes.  But gosh, that's a hard question! I've really started to like books with a lot of romance in them. I guess that's part of being a teenaged girl :p Haha :) Anyway, I like both, but I think I like action packed a little bit better. 


That was really really fun! I want to do more of these from now on :) Anyway, feel free to do this too because gosh it's fun! I'll admit I love answering questions about me and books. :p 

Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Release Date: October 26, 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Num Pages: 260
Links: Goodreads/Purchase

"I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please." 
 So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Lily has red a left notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy tho come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.


My Review:

Oh, Dash! Oh, Lily! Where have you been all my life?

Love, love, love.
Why oh why did this book have to be only 260 pages long? If it had been 800 pages, I would've wanted it to be longer! This book is incredible and maybe just maybe one of the best I have ever read. AHHH! I just love this book to pieces. If I could, I would marry this book.
No question that the characters are my favorite part. I especially enjoyed reading from Lily's point of view, although I LOVED Dash, too. Sometimes books with alternating point of views annoy me because I'll like one character better than the other and just skim through the parts of the character that I don't like. But this one was SO different! I loved both point of views and I WANTED THIS BOOK TO NEVER EVER EVER END!!!!!!!!!!
Lily, who is called Shrilly because of her ability to shriek shrilly when she's upset, is 16 years old. She loves Christmas. In fact, the first line of her POV is "I love Christmas." Understandably, right? I mean, who doesn't love Christmas??? Well Lily loves it just like any other rational human being (I'm getting to Dash in a minute). Lily was crazy and that's what I loved about her so much. She was so different from any other person in a book I've read about! She was a bit of a klutz and a bit all over the place, if you know what I mean, but I loved her for it. She just wanted to find that one right guy. And she wasn't having a fun Christmas. Her brother, Langston, is gay and spending all his time with his boyfriend. Her parents are away for Christmas (leaving Lily and her brother alone!!!!) celebrating their anniversary.
Dash is absolutely hilarious. He's a lovable nerd bookworm who I just fell in love with plain and simple. Every time someone sees him the word "Snarly" immediately comes to mind XD. Dash is the last person I'd guess to play along with the red moleskine notebook thing, but he does. He might be in love with Lily but he doesn't know since he hasn't met her yet.
How cool would that be? To pass along a red notebook, sharing your innermost secrets and your crazy thoughts to someone you've never even met??!!! It makes me want to try something like this, although unfortunately I do not live somewhere as exciting as New York City. I read this book right after Christmastime and let me tell you, I wished I could fast forward back in time ("fast forward back in time"... is that even an expression??) and relive Christmas all over again with this beautiful book that has become my new best friend. AND I WANT TO GO TO NEW YORK CITY NEXT CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The plot of this book is absolutely incredible. It's so creative! I was hooked from page 1 and didn't put it down even when I was in school! I abandoned social life for the week and instead ate my lunch with the book hidden under my desk instead of socializing with friends. I fear that my love have books has made me become antisocial. But whatever. Books are my friends, so at least i'm being social with books, right?? XD
This book grabbed me like no other book has ever done. This book hugged me and never let me go, but not in a get-off-of-me type of way, in a YAY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCh! type of way. I freaking love this book and it is definitely on my list of all-time-favs. Better than favs!

Fun Fact: David Levithan, who wrote Dash's POV, is Maggie Stiefvater's editor! So you know that whatever he writes must be good!

5/5 stars

Review: Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

Such A Rush
by Jennifer Echols
Release Date: July 10, 2012
by MTV Books
Num Pages: 336
Links: Goodreads/Purchase

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers. 

When I was fourteen, I made a decision. If I was doomed to live in a trailer park next to an airport, I could complain about the smell of jet fuel like my mom, I could drink myself to death over the noise like everybody else, or I could learn to fly. 

For Leah Jones, reality is life in a rundown trailer park with an irresponsible mother. But there's one escape. With an after-school job at the local airstrip, she manages to afford cut-rate flight lessons. At the controls of a small plane, she leaves the trailer part far below, swooping out over the sea in the ultimate rush. 

By her senior year of high school, Leah's dreams come true: she snags a job flying for an aerial banner-advertising business. Then the owner dies suddenly, leaving everything in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she tries to stay clear of the apparently doomed business--until Grayson digs up her most damning secret. Holding it over Leah's head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. She's been drawn into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly. 

My Review:

This review deals with talking some sexual content in the book, so if you'd like to skip the parts about that I have closed them off with [[these]].

Such A Rush was definitely not what I was expecting, but I ended up really liking this book.

     This book was different from what I usually read (in a good way!). I really liked Jennifer's writing style and the way she told the story through Leah. Leah's a really complicated character and I'm not sure if I like her or not but let me just tell you, this story-line is amazing. 

    The first two pages were boring and it took me a while to get past those two pages. But after that, it went straight into the story, and I was hooked. The story didn't officially start until more than halfway through, though, and that's when I realized that I was staying up way too late for a school night but I just HAD to finish this book because it was so amazing, sexy, and powerful. 

    [[[So I think I have to say some things about the content in this book. This book is heavy, very easy and light to read but then, being a thirteen year old, there were some parts that I would have preferred not to read if you catch my drift.  I guess I'm just going to have to say it, despite it being really awkward: There IS graphic sex in this book. So, be aware of that before you read it. I don't mind sex in books as long as it doesn't go into full-out details and the characters aren't younger than sixteen or seventeen.  The first time Leah had sex she was 14, so that put me off a little, but then she was 18 the next time she did it, so that was fine with me, but it was a little intense, like I would have preferred not to hear [[[too much about that thing in Grayson's pants and too much about him putting his fingers between Leah's legs]]]. Anyway *looks away awkwardly*, this was the first book I've read with that kind of sex in it, and it wasn't all too bad (it was well written....) but I prefer just plain old kissing to hardcore sex. ]]]]

   Now that I've covered that lovely topic (thank god), I think I also have to say some things about Grayson. I have read some not-so-rave reviews about the way Grayson treated Leah. I am all for guys treating girls like they should be treated. I didn't think Grayson treated Leah all that badly. He had his reasons, and though sometimes I wanted to punch him in the face, he ended up pretty good by the end. Another thing about Grayson- I just couldn't picture him with blonde, curly hair. I kept picturing him with light brown, curly hair. 

  This book also deals with the concept of twins. I love reading about twins and have always wondered what it would be like to have a twin. Alec, Grayson's twin, is clearly the more relaxed, easygoing twin. It's Grayson that's the stress mess. :p I mean, yeah, he's pretty messed up, but you know, he's been through a lot in his life, so I'm cutting the guy a break. I thought for all he'd been through, he ended up pretty good. And Alec's relaxed manner put me off a little, I wouldn't expect someone who'd been through all that Alec had been through to be so...I don't know, relaxed I guess is the best word. 

  And then there's Leah. Her mom was 16 when she had her, and never really learned how to be a mother. You can see how her mother's attitude reflects on Leah. They're nothing alike, but Leah does seem to keep insisting on wearing slutty clothing just to make boys look at her. I didn't like that part of her, her desire to wear gross, [[[look-at-my-boobs and see how much you can see of my underwear]]] clothing, it was never really explained why she wanted to do that. Like Alec said, Leah was like two different people. There was the flirty, giggly her, and then there was the sexy pilot who was all work, no play. While Alec liked the flirty giggly version of Leah, the pilot one was WAY more kickass and way more what I wanted this book to be about. Here was a really good idea for a book and it was expressed well but I think that Jennifer could have expressed it a little more clearly. A young girl pilot? Totally my type of book!! But then there was so much hype involved around the romance and Leah's slutty clothing choices that I didn't really get the chance to focus on this awesome, kick-ass idea for a book. 

  Anyway, I really liked Such A Rush despite some blemishes along the way. I would really recommend this book, but I would say 13, or even 14 and up. I'm obviously 13 and can handle it (if I had been any younger I would have been uncomfortable...). I hate to be one of those "wait till you're older" type of people, but I seriously think this book is best fitted for mid-teens. I might try to reread it again in a few years just to see if my experience is different. Happy reading. :)

3.5/5 stars

In My Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we're recieved for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

Purchased from Gift Card:

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan
Goodreads/Purchase

"I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash the right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could they in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and red notebook) of their own.

Such A Rush
by Jennifer Echols
A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers. 

When I was fourteen, I made a decision. If I was doomed to live in a trailer park next to an airport, I could complain about the smell of jet fuel like my mom, I could drink myself to death over the noise like everybody else, or I could learn to fly. 

For Leah Jones, reality is life in a rundown trailer park with an irresponsible mother. But there's one escape. With an after-school job at the local airstrip, she manages to afford cut-rate flight lessons. At the controls of a small plane, she leaves the trailer part far below, swooping out over the sea in the ultimate rush. 

By her senior year of high school, Leah's dreams come true: she snags a job flying for an aerial banner-advertising business. Then the owner dies suddenly, leaving everything in the hands of his teenage sons: golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she tries to stay clear of the apparently doomed business--until Grayson digs up her most damning secret. Holding it over Leah's head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. She's been drawn into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly. 

Everneath
by Brodi Ashton
Goodreads/Purchase/My Review

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath.  Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--before she's banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
    Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance--and the one person she loves more than anything. But there's just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.
   As Nikki's time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's queen.
   Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton.

Library:

Paper Towns
by John Green

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificently adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life- dressed like a ninja and summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge- he follows. 

After their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Q arrives at school to discover that Margo, always an enigma, has now become a mystery. But Q soon learns that there are clues- and they're for him. Urged down a disconnected path, the closer Q gets, the less Q sees the girl he thought he knew. 

Fallen
by Lauren Kate

There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce--he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can't let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.

Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEn is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story.





What did you guys get this week? Link me up!! :)